I'm here today for Technology Tuesday to share one of my favorite ways to communicate with parents! It's super simple and parents absolutely LOVE it!
Are you looking for a safe way to communicate with your students' families without giving them your cell phone number!? I don't know about you, but I do not like sharing my personal phone number with my students' families. Of course there are exceptions, but I like keeping that information personal!
I am a texter. It's easily one of my favorite forms of communication these days. It's really fast and easy! But, because I don't like sharing my cell phone number with my students' families, I had no way of texting them simple reminders without sharing MY number.
Enter Remind!
First things first, head to the Remind website to create your account! It's absolutely free! Click on "Teacher Sign Up" and enter your information!
Then, you'll be directed to "Add your first class!" Simply choose a class name- you've got to keep it under 10 characters.
I like to keep mine pretty simple and easy to remember for parents and families!
Then, you'll be given a special code AND message! This is the information that you need to give parents to add them to your class! All they have to do is text that number with your message and they are added to the class! So easy!
This is the main screen on the website. I love how simple the website is, nothing crazy or fancy! It just gets right to the point!
At the beginning of the year, I send home a letter to parents explaining this form of communication and give them the codes! Once you have families subscribe to your class, you are ready to send messages!
Here is an example of the letter I sent home last year.
You can let your families know that is a safe communication tool! No advertisements and it doesn't share their phone number with others!
Another advantage- the app! I use the app way more than I ever login to the actual website!
Like I said, it's super easy and very functional! It's great to send out a reminder the night before a field trip or when a book order is due! I hope you find it useful in your classroom!
